In November, La Jolla Village Merchants Association looked forward to its annual strategic planning meeting in December, as well as electing new officers for the coming year.

In his president's report, Jame Niebling thanked the rank-and-file for their efforts in promoting La Jolla's business community this year.

“We really appreciate your dedication and commitment,” Niebling said. “I know it's not easy with your busy schedules. We request that you keep that commitment alive for the balance of the year. There are a lot of things that we want to see done in the Village together.”

Niebling noted that, along with a major redo of LJVMA's website, lajollabythesea.com, that the merchant group also “ramped up our social media.” He added, “With more hands on deck, we can get more accomplished in the coming year.”

Niebling noted the group is gearing up for its next group strategy-building meeting.

“Our Dec. 13 board meeting is where we get feedback from our members on what they liked, and what opportunities they see ahead,” said Niebling. “It's important that members take an active role in helping us plan.”

LJVMA executive director Sheila Fortune noted that all new board members must undergo mandatory training for the Brown Act, authored by Assemblymember Ralph M. Brown and passed in 1953, which guarantees the public's right to attend and participate in open and transparent legislative meetings of local government.

Fortune added the 6th annual Pillage the Village community Halloween event, in which merchants hand out candy to schoolchildren and the La Jolla Real Estate Brokers Association sponsors a children's costume contest, was successful. “We got triple the amount of candy we got last year, and it still wasn't enough,” said LJVMA president Niebling.

James Niebling of Esteban Interiors was re-elected LJVMA president for a second term. Jerit George of San Diego Fly Rides was elected group vice president. Brett Murphy of La Jolla Sports Club is LJVMA's new treasurer and Krista Baroudi, a photographer who owns The World Around You, was re-elected, secretary.

While the November meeting specified that the Village Merchants would meet again in December, as per years past, they decided to bump the meeting up until January.